Thursday, 25 March 2010

Something of a legend in the too-often-stale Drum & Bass scene, and head of Exit Records, dBridge is among a small group of producers who are still managing to push what is a much maturer sound forward. By focusing on a serious depth in his sub-bass and still searching for interesting drum sounds, dBridge is now recognised as one of the most forward-thinking and innovative producers of Drum & Bass that the UK has to offer. His recent Fabriclive mix alongside regular sparring partner and labelmate Instra:mental was an intense piece of work, and his recent crossover into production on the slower end of the spectrum is proving similarly captivating for Dubstep and Drum & Bass fans alike.

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

This year's festival lineup has been announced and it is, as expected, absolutely massive. Taking place from the 2nd-5th of September, the festival is a must attend for anyone who loves their music with a heavy sub underneath it. With more names still to be announced, the lineup already features a huge array of dubstep heavyweights (Hatcha, N-Type, Plastician, Chef, Joker, DMZ, Loefah, Distance, Pinch, Walsh, Seven, Kromestar...), a tight selection of Jungle and Drum & Bass representatives (including Congo Natty, D Bridge and Kenny Ken), a host of the best Dub/Reggae outfits (Iration Steppas, Mungo's Hi-Fi, Michael Prophet and Dub Asante...) and is set to pull in bass-heads from all over the world to soak up the Croatian sun.

Sunday, 21 March 2010

'Tron' has been doing the rounds for some time now, but has, somewhat miraculously, maintained a serious degree of exclusivity. However, launching his new website for label Kapsize today, the man behind the tune announced that it would be available on wax on April 6th (with other formats to follow in the weeks afterwards).

With the similarly-hyped VIP on the flipside, this is set to be a huge release; and the good news is that there is a simple way to enter to win a signed copy of one of 15 test presses of the tunes: simply enter your email address in the space below to be entered into the draw.

The competition closes on the 28th of March, and the winners will be contacted by email on the following day.

The boys behind that mix, Goli & Ashburner, have also given us these two heavy reworkings of the Tempa T's 2009 anthem 'Next Hype' and Boy Better Know's old school classic 'Too Many Man' to share as free downloads:

Saturday, 13 March 2010

Don't knock Kiss FM! Seriously. Don't. DJ's with weekly shows include Logan Sama representing Grime, DJ EZ showing for Garage, David Rodigan playing out Reggae and Crazy D & Hatcha spinning Dubstep. Thats an impressive rosta. What's more is that Kiss turn their attention every week to a particular scene showcasing the talent within it and/or its development from day. This weeks Chosen Ones focused on Hatcha and the history of Dubstep, 1999-present. Told you not to knock Kiss.

You may recognise many of Shaun Bloodworth's photographs: The Roots of El-B, Skream's debut album (Skream!) and several of Tempa Records' Dubstep Allstars and Rinse's mix CDs use his images. Check out his 'Spread It Like Lurpak' collection compiled for Tempa and Ammunition documenting the key players in the UK scene: it's seriously good.

Thursday, 11 March 2010

Hailing from Croydon's neighbouring district Mitcham, James Boyle, aka Breakage, would often pass the now-famous Big Apple Records, but never fully understood what was brewing beyond its flyer-caked door. Perhaps never having succumbed to the allure of the now infamous shop explains why diversity is the optimal word for Breakage; whilst still pushing drum and bass back to its percussive jungle roots, as he has done since 2000 with his reworking of Nasty Habits' 'Here Come The Drums', Breakage has managed to maintain a versatile output spanning myriad genres and BPMs. Having created the half-time masterpieces that are 'Clarendon' and 'Shroud' in 2007 (released on Shy FX' Digital Soundboy imprint, as will the Foundations LP be), before tearing 2009 apart with 'Together', the now unavoidable 'Hard (feat. Newham Generals & David Rodigan)', his collaboration with Roots Manuva entitled 'Run 'em Out' and of course the massive 'Higher', it was beginning to look like a question of whether he could continue this good form and deliver an album as diverse (and, most importantly, successful in this diversity) as his previous output. The good news: he has. Standout tracks include 'Vial', a collaboration with Burial reminiscent of a more minimalistic version of El B's Buck & Bury; the beautiful upbeat stepper 'Over (feat.Zarif)'; and two downtempo tunes 'Justified (feat. Erin)' and 'Speechless (feat. Donaeo)'. Nevertheless, each track on Foundation is wonderfully produced and true to Breakage's sound, whatever genre that may be; making one and all glad that he stayed away from that shop.

The Foundation LP gets its official release on Monday 15th of March, with the album launch partyfeaturing the man himself, Shy FX and Redlight following on the 19th.

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

A snippet of the Zed Bias and Steve Gurley production provisionally entitled 'Roll': a somewhat unlikely production duo, but the proof is in the sound. HEDMUK is excited about this one, as we prepare for a summer of pure garage revivalism!

Considering the sheer ear-time Deadboy has been getting from HEDMUK over the past couple of months, it's shocking that we haven't featured the young London producer until now. For Deadboy, the 2-step garage scene of the early noughties was cut short in its prime, never reaching its full creative potential - and we couldn't agree more. Deadboy's first release (Well Rounded Records, October 2009), included 'Brock Lee Riddim', a 2-step inspired track which blends eerie, unintelligible vocals with a shoulder shuffling beat and, interestingly, a funky bassline. The tear-jerking, mangled vocals of 'Heartbreaker', a real melancholic stepper of a tune, as well as the soon-to-be-UK-Funky-anthem, 'U Cheated', not only affirm Deadboy's talent for producing fresh, organic tunes, but also his judgement; he's right, "everyone can relate to a little heartache on the dancefloor".

With a FACT mix already under his belt, a forthcoming release on Numbers (NMBRS0LTD), and bookings at FWD and Hit&Run (on the 2nd of this coming May), Deadboy is certainly one to watch.

From seemingly nowhere, Mala (co-founder and coordinator of London label and clubnight DMZ, and one half of production duo Digital Mystikz, alongside Coki) has caused serious waves by announcing a forthcoming Digital Mystikz LP due for release in the first week of May this year. After a packed-out 5th birthday dance, expectations were for the two producers to retreat once more into their own individual projects, with Mala focusing on his Deep Medi Musik label and Coki continuing his string of limited press releases (see 'Goblin' on Ringo Records), so this announcement comes as something of a surprise.

Regardless, the date is (characteristically vaguely) set and the LP is to be released as a limited press 3x12" set with catalogue number DMZLP001. No news, as yet, on a tracklist (apart from the assumed inclusion of Mala's track 'Return II Space', from which the LP's title is taken), neither is there on other formats although a CD release is expected to follow.

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Bristol label Hench is to release its first label mixtape next month (the official release date being the 5th of April), which is mixed by Dubstep's king of acceptable wobbles, Jakes. The tape features a wide selection of the label's heaviest beats ('Warface', 'Ironhide', 'Pulse 80's' etc.), as well as loads of unreleased exclusives, including the ever-so-rare 'Drumstick VIP'.

The tape is available for pre-order here, and there's a free download of Jakes' reworking of his classic '3Klane' collaboration with fellow Bristol boy Joker here: